Illinois GOP picks Alan Keyes to run against Obama!

illinoisleader.com ^ | August 4, 2004

[tame]

It's official! Yahoo!

[Hotdog]

"Me neither, but I hope he believes in the Separation of Ketchup and Hotdog"

Take it from me...Hotdogs and Relish are the right combination!

[Huber]

Jorge, You miss the point. There are many ways that we "win" in this contest, even if we don't win the seat. Keyes will reach an entirely new audience with his conservative message, and seeds will be planted for the future as more conservatives are inspired in Illinois. Goldwater got creamed by Johnson in '64, but ultimately it paved the way for Reagan in '80. Every time we get an articulate conservative out there among people who have never heard the message, we advance.

You need to take the long view!

...and he may just win - greater upsets have happened!

AND, Keyes will energize conservatives to come to the polls in a battleground state for Bush!

Now all you naysaying Girlie-men, shape up and show some enthusiasm for a conservative brawler!

[Gelato]

The national party made it clear Illinois was a write off well before the primary, which is why there were so many self-funded candidates in the race.

You're undoubtedly right about where the blame lies. I've seen it myself in an important race, where the national GOP wrote off a candidate because he was against a popular Democrat incumbent, only to see the GOP candidate lose by a hair. They regret it now, I'm sure!

That race was important, but not as important as this Senate seat in Illinois. If what you say is true, it's really boneheaded they didn't take it seriously before now. Then again, often they don’t step in until the general election.

[outlawcam]

Obama might agree to a couple of very tightly formatted debates, with no direct candidate-to-candidate exchanges -- close to alternating press conferences, really -- just enough so that charges of ducking debates won't stick.

Possibly, but if he thinks he can hold his own and is ambitous enough, he may think this would buttress his resume for a possible White House run in '08. Hey...It's happened before...but the loser in the Senate race is the one who ultimately was selected for President.

[Fifth Business]

Really?

ABSOLUTELY!

Some establishments will refuse to perform the act and despise you for the request.

[PaleoPal]

He's an articulate conservative. He has no place in the GOP anymore.

[RockinRight]

Wish we could find a way to throw out Gillespie and get someone better in there...he's like our McAuliffe...

[Modernman]

I'm not so sure there will be debates. I don't see what incentive Obama would have to accept a debate challenge, given his likely huge lead, and given Keyes's formidable debating reputation.

My thought exacty. Sure, Obama might lose a couple percentage points by not debating, but he wouldn't have to worry about looking like a fool in front of Keyes.

[NordP]

I hope they put it on CSPAN - being out here in CA, I would LOVE to see it too!!!

What a wordsmith, who knows the issues backwards and forwards.

He'll have to watch and curb his perceived anger when he speaks, though. Everyone KNOWS he'll wipe the floor with any opponent, but if he does it in anything other than a kind but firm way, he'll lose people, and that would be a shame.

What a brilliant mind....what a debate - you are so right, V-B-R!!!

[Torie]

Does Keyes have any track record of expanding the GOP base? How many black voters has he attracted in the past?

[mhking]

If Keyes has no chance of winning in Illinois, then the term "carpetbagger" can't apply.

Carpetbagger - An outsider, especially a politician, who presumptuously seeks a position or success in a new locality.

--from Dictionary.com

Sorry - whitewashing Keyes as being different because he's not "like Hillary" isn't the same thing.

Dole was a carpetbagger, Kennedy was a carpetbagger, Clinton was a carpetbagger, Keyes is a carpetbagger. Period.

As I said, I respect him. I like him. But I'm not comfortable with this tactic, and I'm not so sure he can win in Illinois.

I'll happily eat crow should he win.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Eleven million people in Illinois, and the GOP couldn't come up with ONE person who actually lived there to run against Obama?

By bringing in Keyes, the GOP has elevated Obama's stature in the eyes of the left.

[outlawcam]

Some establishments will refuse to perform the act and despise you for the request.

ROFL!!! I've been through O'Hare a few times, but I've never been out in the city or anywhwere else in the state. I'd love to see that...just once. :)

[Modernman]

Can he hold his own in a debate with Keyes? I've never heard Obama speak. What would happen if Keyes rips him apart in a debate?

Unless the poll numbers are close (which they won't be), Obama won't debate Keyes.

[nopardons]

He has NO numbers...it's all hallucinations and hyperbole.

[NordP]

EXcellent points, Huber!

[deport]

Two wrongs do not make a right.

---

But at some point the 'Price is Right' and all succumb....

Now Keyes hasn't said the 'Price is Right' yet but we shall see.... If he does I'll wish him well and certainly hope he can win..... I'd even bet that President Bush will be on stage with him at some point during the campaign in Illinois... jmo of course.

[Torie]

Obama's stature I suspect is rather high with folks of all ideological stripes. He does not need elevating.

[NordP]

THAT would be great!

[Fifth Business]

A Chicago dog has Mustard, relish, peppers, sliced tomato, a pickle (cut the long way) and is sprinkled with celery salt. I hope I haven't forgotten anything (onions maybe). But Ketchup (Heinz or otherwise) is a big No-No.